50 Words in the Trenches

Photo of WWI soldiers in the trenches

Image from Ellen Thompson

“We’re standing in our own graves.”

Jim looked at Harry, at the rivulets of water cutting streaks down his muddy face. He looked at his combat boots, ankle deep in trench sludge mixed with blood. Eighteen days in a standoff. Rations gone. Ammunition dwindling.

“Yeah,” he replied. “But we’re standing.”